While the Red Wings have had trouble selling out playoff games at the old Joe Louis Arena and living up to the "Hockeytown" nickname they gave to Detroit as a marketing scheme, fans in a faraway place have jumped on the bandwagon.As Terry Foster discovers, this place is Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil!
Yeah, there is a large and dedicated Red Wings fan base in Brazil, and they all like to come together at the Red Wings Brasil Blog.
How did they become Red Wings fans?What is it about those old video games that turned these guys into Red Wings fans? Wouldn't they have been Blackhawks fans? Anyone who played the old NHL games would know Roenick was pretty much Super Weapon X.
Sega Genesis and Nintendo, of course.
According to the person who runs the Web site, fans fell in love with the Red Wings when they played the video games with friends.
Although most speak Portuguese, they also fell in love with the broadcasts of Ken Kal and Paul Woods.
"Ken Kal and Paul Woods are wonderful," said Flavio de Moura, who updates the Web site. "Nowadays, we catch up on the games live on the Internet streaming. I don't know if it's legal. So you better not mention that please. We need the games."
Don't worry. It is legal. You guys are safe.
Anyway, I am always amazed at how hockey can become an obsession in a place where ice hockey ranks below clear-cut logging and meat eating as a country's favorite sport. I don't know a lick of Portuguese, but it's obvious, from their blog, that these Brazilians love the game and know how to show their dedication.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-22-2007 @ 10:16PM
SweetRevenge said...
To all Red Wings Fans,
I'm dissapointed in the lack of fanfare for your team. Where are the blogs? Where are the postings? This is the playoffs! I thought you were HOCKEYTOWN USA? Anyway, to my point...
If you actually get by Aneheim tonight (which is a slim chance), and you actually come back to win the next 2 games (slimmer chance), do you really think you can oust the Senators? (not a chance in hell)
You don't have the talent or the passion! I saw you fans in game 6, San Jose. Here's a little reminder of the track record for teams that eliminate San Jose in the playoffs... win, win, win, get to the finals, and LOSE! HA HA HA! our own little sweet revenge! remember Edmonton? remember Calgary? Nothing could be more of an embarassment, more of a disapointment, more of a let down, more of a heartbreak than for a team to get to the CUP and LOSE! and like the VS commercial says "no one remembers 2nd place!" So know this Detroit fans, what I felt that night in San Jose game6, you'll be feeling soon! and nothing could make me feel better.
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5-23-2007 @ 4:17PM
NHL Portugal said...
The Portuguese hockey community has a blog and a forum to connect with each other as well, and I can say that from what I've seen, the Red Wings are by far the most popular team.
And
"Anyway, I am always amazed at how hockey can become an obsession in a place where ice hockey ranks below clear-cut logging and meat eating as a country's favorite sport."
can certainly be applied to Portugal as well. And it is an obsession for most of us, as we stay awake until all night to watch a game due to time zones, spend.
Even if you don't know a thing of Portuguese, you can still check us:
http://nhlportugal.blogspot.com
Keep up the good work here
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5-23-2007 @ 4:19PM
NHL Portugal said...
(I don't know what was that ",spend" for...)
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